Old photos from the archive

[SteveH]

Life at Sea in North Wales in the past
This week's selection of old pictures reflects the region's nautical heritage, when ships and ports played a major role in the local economy

The extensive coastline of North Wales has provided the region with the opportunity to develop a tradition of maritime enterprise, with a great number of small ports. While Holyhead continues to be of great importance, due to its links to Ireland, many others, such as Pwllheli, Amlwch and Conwy, can look back on a glorious past.

cont and photos  https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/life-at-sea-in-north-wales-in-the-past/

[SteveH]

The 'fake' Swallow Falls that fooled Snowdonia tourists
Some guided parties were taken to an entirely different waterfall

While walking 33 miles from Cerrigydrudion to Bangor in a single day, George Borrow was accosted by a woman just outside Betws-y-Coed, Conwy. In his classic 1862 travelogue Wild Wales, he described the encounter.

?Seemingly on the look-out, (she) begged me in broken English to step aside and look at the fall. ?You mean a waterfall, I suppose?? said I. ?Yes, sir.? I told the woman I would go, whereupon she conducted me through a gate on the right hand side and down a path overhung with trees to a ro? projecting into the river.?

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/trips-breaks/fake-swallow-falls-fooled-snowdonia-28334305?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

I read that article earlier but never knew the name of that waterfall.    Every time we go on the A470 and are approaching the Waterloo Bridge in Betws Y Coed we look out on the left for that waterfall.
It always looks powerful but one time when there had been exceptional rainfall the water even came onto the A470

[SteveH]

The 'Keystone Cops' Snowdon train smash caused by very merry railwaymen
The workers had lingered too long over their pints

In the late 19th Century, Eryri (Snowdonia) was still a railway frontier. Despite its legendary slate rail network, more mountains and valleys awaited conquering.

Two of the most famous of the new routes, on and near Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), encountered early setbacks. One was disastrous, delaying its opening by a year; the other less so, and was almost comical, having been caused by three drunk railwaymen who lingered too long over their pints.

Board of Trade inquiries were launched into both. The opening day disaster on Snowdon Mountain Railway was blamed on a lack of grip for carriages that were too heavy for the track. As for the unfortunate incident at the Snowdon Ranger station, next to Llyn Cwellyn just below Snowdon?s southern flank, the inquiry was unequivocal: ?intoxication? caused a decoupling and subsequent collision.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tipsy-railwaymen-who-caused-keystone-25828554

[SteveH]

Tragic story behind Britain's first ever named storm... and how unexpected gale changed the Met Office forever
'Royal Charter Gale' storm caused devastation in Irish Sea in October 1859
Inspired Met Office founder Robert FitzRoy to start national warning system

Full article  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12832329/UK-weather-Met-Office-storm-warnings-history-Royal-Charter-Gale.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Pictures left forgotten in attic for over a century offer fascinating glimpse into past
A treasure trove of images were found when a family moved into a house in Llanberis in the 1980s

Hidden photographs found gathering dust in a Llanberis attic for more than 100 years have prompted an ongoing detective story into lives from the past. A treasure trove of images, glass photographic plates, prints, letters and other pieces of paperwork were discovered when a family moved into a home on Thomas Street back in the 1980s.

The material was the work of Isaac Hughes - the first photographer to live in Llanberis. He also built a row of houses in the town as he grew in prosperity.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/pictures-left-forgotten-attic-over-28399010?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Bleak midwinter: Snow scenes in North Wales in past years
This week Memory Lane looks at the kind of wintry weather we might expect at this time of year

With snow forecast for much of the UK, we're taking a look back over previous winters in North Wales. Whilst it looks looks pretty and is exciting for children (and big children), it also brings with it disruption for motorists and sports fixtures.

cont/ photos    https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/bleak-midwinter-snow-scenes-in-north-wales-in-past-years/

The little Orme

[SteveH]

When the 'Olympics' came to North Wales
As the world looks ahead to the Paris Games this summer, here's how a Liverpool athletics enthusiast sowed the seeds of the Olympic movement by bringing his Olympic Festival to Llandudno not once but twice

Millions will watch the Olympics this summer when it is staged in Paris exactly 100 years on from the last time it was in the French capital in 1924. But a version of the multi-sport extravaganza was held in North Wales not once but twice.

A Liverpool gymnast and athletics enthusiast called John Hulley was one of the founders of the Olympic movement in Great Britain. He set up the National Olympian Association in 1865 which may have inspired Pierre de Coubertin to revive the Olympic Games and create the International Olympic Committee in 1894.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/olympics-came-north-wales-28651632

photo  The Olympic Festival at Llandudno - The Feast of Lanterns in 1866

[SteveH]

FOR decades a stunning North Wales village quite like no other, has attracted visitors from around the world.

Situated in Gwynedd on the estuary of the River Dwyryd, Portmeirion was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, between 1925 and 1975.

Now owned by a charitable trust, the captivating folly of pastel coloured Baroque style buildings, creates a magical experience for those who visit, inspired by the Italian Riviera.

cont plus 20 photo gallery... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24229537.charm-portmeirion-wowing-visitors-decades/
 

[Hugo]

Portmeirion is a lovely place to walk around or even stay there in one of the village rooms.    Entry in to the village is about 12.00 pounds but if you have lunch at the nearby Castell Deudraeth entry to Portmeirion was free
The third photo is where Jools Holland always stays when he visits the village

[SteveH]

History of river crossing where there was a catch to get to the other side
Original crossing linked Llanrwst with Trefriw so customers could enjoy reviving waters of Trefriw Spa

An enterprising vicar helped put up a bridge between Trefriw and Llanrwst in Conwy. It was huge help for travellers as it spanned the swirling waters of the tidal Afon Conwy - but there was a catch.

The vicar The Reverend John Gower, whose toll house was located on one riverbank, built the original bridge in 1881 as it helped them avoid having to go on the longer route over Pont Fawr. He charged people a toll fee for the privilege of using the bridge.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/history-river-crossing-catch-side-29026302?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A CARPET and flooring company that supplies Buckingham Palace and other royal residences is celebrating 60 years of business.


Linney Cooper, which is based in Llandudno with a showroom in Rhos-on-Sea, started from humble beginnings in Colwyn Bay in 1964.

The family-run business was founded by Robert Hughes in his basement, supplying residents with bespoke carpets and rugs.

Robert?s sons and nephew joined in 1987 with his youngest grandson Dewi Hughes continuing the family tradition.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24275326.llandudno-business-royal-connections-celebrates-60-years/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

THIS weeks Nostalgia takes a look at an old theatre and cinema complex which was a popular hub of entertainment in Colwyn Bay for half a century.

The building, at the junction of Marine Road and Conway Road, opened in 1936 as one of the original cinemas in Oscar Deutsch's chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd (which would become ODEON).

At this point, there was seating for 1,706 people - 1,128 in the stalls and 578 in the circle.

MORE: and 16 photos... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24291905.50-year-history-colwyn-bay-theatre-cinema/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

'Giant fridge' off main road thousands of drivers pass every day
This structure looks like something from a film set but has a very important role


A near-windowless, imposing edifice is located close to one of North Wales' busiest crossroads.

Thousands of drivers at Llandudno Junction pass it every day while travelling to and from the A55 and A470, yet its true purpose remains a mystery to many. During World War II, Marl Cold Stores played a crucial role as a food storage facility, essentially acting as an enormous fridge. These days, H.L. Motors uses the building, which has since ceased to function for refrigeration, though many original features are still preserved.

Now, the space is utilised for storing company property and customers' documents. A representative from the company once provided historical context for the site.

He explained that during wartime, the Government built up to 19 depots like this one to store food brought in from ships, preparing for a conflict of "unknown length". The entire structure was designed to be "hermetically sealed",

cont https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/giant-fridge-main-road-thousands-29238733?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Secrets of Anglesey's Roman and medieval past unearthed in Holyhead archaeological dig
The public are invited to see the dig during an open day on Sunday

Archaeologists are learning more about Anglesey's Roman and phases of its medieval past in a fascinating dig at a chapel site in Holyhead. An excavation is under way at Eglwys y Bedd, a detached Grade II-listed structure within St Cybi's Churchyard where once a Roman fort stood.

The public will get a chance to see the archaeological work first-hand during an open day being held on Sunday, June 23. Sorry thats today The dig was prompted after planning permission was granted to convert and extend Eglwys y Bedd into a community hub including a café and training kitchen.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/secrets-angleseys-roman-medieval-past-29392629